What is Spey and Why Spey?

Spey is a type of cast born out of necessity in Scotland. It is a cast that is possible when a caster does not have sufficient back cast room to fully aerialize a back cast in order to properly load a rod. And these tight quarters typify the fishing condition at the river Spey in Scotland, the mother place that birthed this type of cast. In a nutshell, Spey is a problem-solving cast.

Spey is not just about long rods, two hands, or long lines. Rather, spey is a simply a technique that can be incorporated into any combination of rod lengths, line lengths, making it easily applicable to Single Handed rods as well.

Spey is so much more than a turbo charged roll cast. Besides a higher line speed, more distance, and greater fly payload, Spey has a definite change of direction not afforded by roll cast.

Is Spey for you? Consider what it gets you:1. Opens your fishing options. You can now cast far enough to reach your run while your back is tight against the bank. This is also useful when the rivers are blown and bank fishing is a must for safety reasons.2. Increase your fly-on-the-water time, translating to more fishing time. After all, you can't catch a fish on a false cast.3. Greater change of direction. Spey allows any change of direction in a quick one pick up and cast, a deft move that is a must when the water is boiling all around you during a hatch.4. No more wearing football helmets during nymphing. Spey allows safer heavy nymph casting so you can shuck the helmet hair.5. For Switch and Two Handed rods, there is load sharing between both hands. This means less toll on your dominant casting hand. In fact, the non casting hand does more work in certain types of cast. This is particularly beneficial to those familiar with the Ben-Gay rub down after a full day on the water.6. Sipping the Scotch in refinement than downing it to kill the casting pain. Go bigger flies, deeper, further, in a tandem rig, on gusty days, and have that reward instead of a pain killer waiting for you.7. And lastly, no more Charlie Brown trees decorated with lost flies from attempting a back cast when no back room exist.What is needed in terms of knowledge and gear?Knowledge:

If you can cast false cast 30 feet and roll cast, you have all the basics to learn spey.

Use electrical tape to tape your ferrule joints to prevent rod separation that can result in ferrule damage.

Make sure your leader is 1 to 1-1/2 times your rod length, preferably tapered to terminate with a 8lb tippet for easier turnover.

Safety:

The usual use of polarized glasses and fishing cap/hat for protection.

What is taught during the Introduction workshop?Most Introduction classes teach the fundamental in the following sequence:

Proper stance

Proper grip

Proper rails (body, mid, outer)

Proper unsticking the line

Proper anchor placement

Proper back cast to form dee loop

Proper forward cast

Proper shoot

How should I go about it:Private personal or group lessons:

I can be reached by the contact page or by phone 313 415 4030

Where can I see examples of what is taught:The Video page contains short videos of different styles of spey cast, both Single Handed rod, and Double Handed rod (both Switch and Long Rod). It also contains videos taken during several fishing trips showing on stream application. Below are links to the videos by category.